Fresh Fruit Cuts increases efficiency and volume with new equipment

April 01, 2014

In preparation for the start of the California stone fruit season in early May, fresh-cut peach and nectarine processor Fresh Fruit Cuts, located in Fresno, CA, has made numerous facility upgrades to increase efficiency and volume.

After a market test last season, Fresh Fruit Cuts is gearing up for its first full season and strong demand with facility upgrades, including new bagging equipment, volume tray fillers and additional conveyers.

"After last year's stone fruit season, we were for looking ways to improve our efficiency and reduce labor," Kim Gaarde, president of Fresh Cut Fruits, said in a press release. "Making these upgrades in equipment will help us realize savings in cost and time while allowing us to not only meet current demand, but continue to grow it in the future."

While the new equipment's main purpose is to process peaches, nectarines and plums for the company's "Woot Froot" brand, it will also be used to process and bag other fresh-cut items.

The new equipment enables Fresh Fruit Cuts to add additional SKUs and pack sizes of form, fill and seal bags, as well as trays.

Fresh Fruit Cuts is currently the only U.S.-based fresh-cut processor to offer sliced peaches and nectarines, the company said in the press release.

This season will start in mid-May and the company will offer fresh-cut sliced peaches and nectarines in three-ounce bags, five-count multipack clamshells, 14-ounce bags, and 10- and 20-ounce and two-pound trays in the "Woot Froot" brand.

Fresh Fruit Cuts, a specialty processor and woman-owned business, endeavors to deliver unique and high flavor value-added products to consumers around the country.